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In 2002, he spoke critically against [[Subcomandante Marcos]]'s letter which supported a [[Basque people|Basque]] terrorist group and criticized [[Baltasar Garzón]].<ref name=boston061910/>
In 2002, he spoke critically against [[Subcomandante Marcos]]'s letter which supported a [[Basque people|Basque]] terrorist group and criticized [[Baltasar Garzón]].<ref name=boston061910/>


In 2006, Monsiváis signed a petition in support of the independence of [[Puerto Rico]] from the [[United States of America]].
On January 26, 2006, Monsiváis joined other international figures and Latin American authors such as Nobel-laureate [[Gabriel García Márquez]], [[Mario Benedetti]], [[Ernesto Sabato]], [[Thiago de Mello]], [[Eduardo Galeano]], [[Pablo Armando Fernández]], [[Jorge Enrique Adoum]], [[Luis Rafael Sánchez]], [[Mayra Montero]], [[Ana Lydia Vega]] and singer/composer [[Pablo Milanés]], in demanding sovereignty for [[Puerto Rico]].<ref name=copronu/><ref name="googletranslateCopronu052207">{{cite web|url=http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcopronu.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F05%2Fpuerto-rico-al-da-no-2-abril-2007.html&sl=es&tl=en&hl=&ie=UTF-8|title=Documentos y actualidad sobre el caso de descolonización de Puerto Rico en la Organización de las Naciones Unidas|date=22 de mayo de 2007|work=COPRONU|publisher=[[Google translate]]|accessdate=19 June 2010}}</ref> This coalition added their names and signatures to the Latin American and Caribbean Congress' Proclamation for the Independence of Puerto Rico, which approved a resolution favoring [[Political status of Puerto Rico|the commonwealth]]'s right to assert its independence, as ratified unanimously by political parties hailing from twenty-two Latin American countries in November 2006.<ref name=copronu/> Galeano's demand for the recognition of Puerto Rico's independence was obtained at the behest of the [[Puerto Rican Independence Party]] (PIP).<ref name=copronu>[http://copronu.blogspot.com/2007/05/puerto-rico-al-da-no-2-abril-2007.html Literatos se unen a causa independentista puertorriqueña]</ref>


"He was also known as a tireless and ubiquitous activist for leftist causes."<ref name=boston061910/><ref name=eluniversalcaracas0621010/>
"He was also known as a tireless and ubiquitous activist for leftist causes."<ref name=boston061910/><ref name=eluniversalcaracas0621010/>

Revision as of 18:16, 3 November 2010

Carlos Monsiváis
Carlos Monsivais
Carlos Monsivais
OccupationWriter and journalist
NationalityMexican
CitizenshipMexican
GenreChronicle, Essay
Literary movementGeneración del '68 (1968 Generation)[1]
Notable worksDías de guarda (1971)[1]
Notable awards1977 "Premio Nacional de Periodismo" Award
(1977 "National Journalism Prize Award")
2006 "Premio Anagrama de Ensayo"
(2006 "Anagram of Essay Prize")
SpouseNone
ChildrenNone

Carlos Monsiváis Aceves (May 4, 1938 – June 19, 2010) was a Mexican writer, critic, political activist,[2] and journalist.[3][4] He also wrote political opinion columns in leading newspapers and was considered to be an opinion leader within the country's progressive sectors.[5] His generation of writers includes Elena Poniatowska, José Emilio Pacheco, and Carlos Fuentes.[2][6] Monsiváis has won more than 33 awards, including the 1986 Jorge Cuesta Prize (named after a fellow writer about whom he wrote a book),[5] the 1989 Mazatlán Prize, and the 1996 Xavier Villaurrutia Award.[2] Considered a leading intellectual of his time, Monsiváis documented contemporary Mexican themes, values, class struggles, and societal change in his essays, books and opinion pieces.[3][6][7][8] He was a staunch critic of the long-ruling Partido Revolucionario Institucional (PRI), leaned towards the left-wing, and was ubiquitous in disseminating his views on radio and television.[9][10] As a founding member of "Gatos Olvidados", Monsiváis wanted his and other "forgotten cats" to be provided for beyond his lifetime.[11][12]

Early life and education

Carlos Monsiváis Aceves was born in Mexico City on May 4, 1938.[2][5][7][13][14] He studied economics and philosophy at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM).[5][6] As a student, Monsiváis was involved with protests that reestablished Mexican democracy.[6] From 1956 to 1958, he worked at Medio Siglo ("Half Century") magazine and "Estaciones" ("Seasons") from 1957 to 1959.[5] Monsiváis studied economics and philosophy at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM).[5] From 1956 to 1958, he worked as an editor at Medio Siglo, and at Estaciones from 1957 to 1959.[5]

His writings, some of which are written with an ironic undertone, show a deep understanding of the origin and development of Mexican popular culture.[6] As a movie critic during this time period, he is considered one of the Golden Age of Mexican cinema's premiere observers.[2] Monsiváis enjoyed reviewing many different media, to include movies, art and football.[6]

Literary career

From 1962 to 1963 and 1967 to 1958, Monsiváis was a fellow at the "Centro Mexicano de Escritores" ("Mexican Writers's Center").[5] In 1965, he attended Harvard University's Centre for International Studies.[5]

In 1969, Monsiváis published his first two essays: "Principios y potestades" (lit. "Principles and powers") and "Características de la cultura nacional" (lit. "Characteristics of the national culture").[5] They were characterized as being filled with a universal curiosity and the ability to distill the core essence of Mexican political and cultural life.[5] In 1971, he penned a chronicle called Días de guardar, which was compiled into a book with his first essays.[5] In 1976, Monsiváis composed Amor perdido, which detailed mythical film characters based upon popular song, left-wing politics, and the bourgeoisie.[5]

During the 1980s, Monsiváis prolifically wrote the bulk of many works that shaped and destined his career.[5] Those works include 1984's De qué se ríe el licenciado, Entrada libre, crónicas de la sociedad que se organiza in 1987, and 1988's Escenas de pudor y liviandad.[5] In 1982, he also wrote a book called Nuevo catecismo para indios remisos, which narrated an understanding or cathecism about Mexico's native Indians.[5] Días de guarda and Escenas de pudor y liviandad are considered his epic works.[1][2] In narrative form, Monsiváis recounted the 1985 Mexico City earthquake that killed thousands.[6] He wrote "Historias para temblar: 19 de septiembre de 1985" ("Stories to tremble: September 19, 1985") which documented the earthquake.[5]

In 1992, Monsiváis created a biography on Frida Kahlo entitled Frida Kahlo: Una vida, una obra.[5][6]

In addition to these books, Monsiváis wrote several anthologies to include La poesía mexicana del siglo X in 1966, Los narradores ante el público in 1969, and in 1986 an autobiography about Jorge Cuesta.[2][5]

Monsiváis remained creative into his latter years and in 2002 wrote an essay called Yo te bendigo, vida, about Amado Nervo.[5]

Political involvement

In 1968, the Tlatelolco massacre left a distinct mark on Monsiváis.[2] His critics maintained that Monsiváis' life was filled with social movements interweaved with real life politics and entertainment figures[5] as he wrote about that "1968 army massacre"[6] whose death toll varied from 25 to 350 depending on the sources.[2]

Monsiváis became an early defender of the Zapatista Army of National Liberation.[2] In 1994, he supported the Zapatistas's Chiapas revolt on behalf of Mexico's indigenous peoples.[2] Monsiváis along with Portuguese writer Jose Saramago visited rebel camps in Chiapas.[2]

In 2002, he spoke critically against Subcomandante Marcos's letter which supported a Basque terrorist group and criticized Baltasar Garzón.[2]

In 2006, Monsiváis signed a petition in support of the independence of Puerto Rico from the United States of America.

"He was also known as a tireless and ubiquitous activist for leftist causes."[2][9]

Later life and death

Monsiváis had struggled for years with pulmonary fibrosis and could be seen in his latter years with an oxygen tank.[5] His weariness led to several hospital stays.[5]

In 2007, Monsiváis, who was a patron of the arts, opened the Museo de El Estanquillo with an exhibition of Gabriel Vargas' La Familia Burrón paintings with the artist in person.[15][16] Vargas sat paralyzed because of an affiction he had suffered for the past twenty years.[15][16] In funding the museum, he paid homage to Vargas, La Familia Burrón and Eduardo del Río.[5] The Estanquillo Museum also exhibits many of his varied works.[6] It holds approximately 12,000 items that Monsiváis accumulated over 30 years.[5]

In 2008, Monsiváis' love for his 20 inseparable cats led him to bequest funds for an animal shelter known as "Gatos Olvidados" (English: Forgotten Cats).[11][12][17][18] For eight years, he had been attached deeply to "Miss Oginia", a cat he had saved from being euthanasized and a kitten he had adopted.[11] Monsiváis approached the Distrito Federal de México about a plot of land for 50 homeless cats because a young girl, Claudia Vázquez Lozano, sent him an email requesting his support.[11] As a founding member of "Gatos Olvidados", Monsiváis wanted his and other forgotten kitties to be provided for beyond his lifetime.[11][12]

As recently as March 2010, Monsiváis presented his last collection of chronicles named Apocalipstick.[1]

On June 19, 2010, Monsiváis was declared dead after respiratory problems by the staff of the Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición 'Salvador Zubirán'.[1][7][14][19] He had entered the hospital on April 2, 2010 and had declined in health.[2][9]

Tributes

EZLN spokesman Subcomandante Marcos regarded Monsiváis as an influence. While some of his critics did not appreciate his omnipresence in all forms of the media, in a country with "low reading levels" this made him more well-known amongst the people.[9] Pacheco, a Cervantes Prize winner, once commented that Monsiváis was the "only writer people knew on the street."[1] Poniatowska, who knew him since 1957, said, "I think he is one of the great minds of Mexico, and an intellectual of the left."[2] Carlos Fuentes, who was in London at the time of Monsiváis' death said, "great writer who renewed the essay genre in Mexico."[8][20] Mexican President Felipe Calderón lamented his death with "profound sorrow".[6]

Of his own autobiography that he wrote at age 28, Monsiváis once said "acepté esta suerte de autobiografía con el mezquino fin de hacerme ver como una mezcla de Albert Camus y Ringo" ("I accepted this sort of autobiography with the petty purpose of making myself look like a mix of Albert Camus and Ringo").[5]

Personal life

Monsiváis never married and had no children.[6] According to Poniatowska, he is survived by several nephews.[2] Monsiváis owned a small two-story house in Mexico City’s Colonia Portales.[3][5][21] In lieu of children, he owned 13 small cats[3][5] and gave interviews with them in his lap.[9] In his spare time, Monsiváis enjoyed reading and cinematography.[5][9]

Bibliography

Chronicles
  • Días de guardar (1971)
  • Amor perdido (1976)
  • De qué se ríe el licenciado (una crónica de los 40) (1984)
  • Entrada libre. Crónicas de la sociedad que se organiza (1987)
  • Escenas de pudor y liviandad (1988)
  • Luneta y galería (Atmósferas de la capital 1920-1959) (1994)
  • Los rituales del caos (1995)
  • «No sin nosotros». Los días del terremoto 1985-2005 (2005)
Essays
  • Características de la cultura nacional (1969)
  • Principios y potestades (1969)
  • «Notas sobre la cultura mexicana en el siglo XX» en Historia General de México (1976)
  • El Crimen en el cine (1977)
  • Cultura urbana y creación intelectual. El caso mexicano (1981)
  • Cuando los banqueros se van (1982)
  • Conferencias (1985)
  • El poder de la imagen y la imagen del poder. Fotografías de prensa del porfiriato a la época actual (1985)
  • Historias para temblar: 19 de septiembre de 1985 (1988)
  • El género epistolar. Un homenaje a manera de carta abierta (1991)
  • Sin límite de tiempo con límite de espacio: arte, ciudad, gente, colección de Carlos Monsiváis (1993)
  • Rostros del cine mexicano (1993)
  • Por mi madre, bohemios I (1993)
  • El teatro de los Insurgentes: 1953-1993 (1993)
  • Los mil y un velorios. Crónica de la nota roja (1994)
  • Cultura popular mexicana (1995)
  • Aire de familia. Colección de Carlos Monsiváis (1995)
  • El bolero (1995)
  • Recetario del cine mexicano (1996)
  • Diez segundos del cine nacional (1996)
  • Del rancho al internet (1999)
  • Aires de familia. Cultura y sociedad en América Latina (2000)
  • Las herencias ocultas del pensamiento liberal del siglo XIX (2000)
  • Las tradiciones de la imagen: notas sobre poesía mexicana (2001)
  • Protestantismo, diversidad y tolerancia (2002)
  • Bolero: clave del corazón (2004)
  • Las herencias ocultas de la Reforma Liberal del Siglo XIX (2006)
  • Imágenes de la tradición viva (2006)
  • Las alusiones perdidas (2007)
  • El estado laico y sus malquerientes (2008)
  • El 68, La tradición de la resistencia (2008)
Biography
  • Carlos Monsiváis (Autobiografía) (1966)
  • Celia Montalván (te brindas voluptuosa e impudente) (1982)
  • María Izquierdo (1986)
  • Luis García Guerrero (1987)
  • José Chávez Morado (1989)
  • Escenas mexicanas en la obra de Teresa Nava (1997)
  • Salvador Novo. Lo marginal en el centro (2000)
  • Adonde yo soy tú somos nosotros. Octavio Paz: crónica de vida y obra (2000)
  • Novoamor (2001)
  • Yo te bendigo, vida. Amado Nervo: crónica de vida y obra (2002)
  • Leopoldo Méndez 1902-2002 (2002)
  • Carlos Pellicer: iconografía (2003)
  • Annita Brenner: visión de una época (2006)
  • Frida Kahlo (2007)
  • Rosa Covarrubias: una americana que amó México (2007)
  • Pedro Infante: las leyes del querer (2008)
Narrative
  • Nuevo catecismo para indios remisos (1982)
Other books in collaboration
  • "Historia General de México" (1972)/ Colegio de México
  • Frida Kahlo. Una vida, una obra (1992) / Rafael Vázquez Bayod
  • A través del espejo: el cine mexicano y su público (1994) / Carlos Bonfil
  • Parte de guerra. Tlatelolco 1968. Documentos del general Marcelino García Barragán. Los hechos y la historia (1999) / Julio Scherer
  • Parte de Guerra II. Los rostros del 68 (2002) / Julio Scherer
  • Tiempo de saber (2003) / Julio Scherer
  • El centro histórico de la Ciudad de México (2006) / Francis Alÿs
  • El viajero lúgubre: Julio Ruelas modernista, 1870-1907 (2007) / Antonio Saborit y Teresa del Conde
  • El hombre de negro (2007) / Helioflores
Anthologies
  • La poesía mexicana del Siglo XX (1966)
  • Poesía mexicana II, 1915-1979 (1979)
  • A Ustedes Les Consta. Antología de la Crónica en México (1980)
  • Lo fugitivo permanece. 21 cuentos mexicanos (1984)
  • La poesía mexicana II, 1915-1985 (1985)
Translations
  • Mexican postcards (1997) / Trans. John Kraniauskas.
  • A new catechism for recalcitrant indians (2007) / Trans. Jeffrey Browitt and Nidia Esperanza Castrillón.
  • Obřady chaosu (2007) / Trans. Markéta Riebová.

Further reading

Spanish

  • La conciencia imprescindible. Ensayos sobre Carlos Monsiváis / Jezreel Salazar (ed.), México: Fondo Editorial Tierra Adentro, 2009.
  • El arte de la ironía: Carlos Monsiváis ante la crítica / Mabel Moraña, Ignacio Sánchez Prado (eds.), México: Era, 2007.
  • La ciudad como texto: la crónica urbana de Carlos Monsiváis / Jezreel Salazar, Monterrey: Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, 2006.
  • Acercamientos a Carlos Monsiváis / José Bru, Dante Medina, Raúl Bañuelos (eds.), Guadalajara, Jalisco: Universidad de Guadalajara, 2006.
  • Nada mexicano me es ajeno: seis papeles sobre Carlos Monsiváis / Adolfo Castañón, México: Universidad Autónoma de la Ciudad de México, 2005.
  • Crónicas de la identidad : Jaime Sáenz, Carlos Monsiváis y Pedro Lemebel / Cecilia Lanza Lobo, Quito, Ecuador: Universidad Andina Simón Bolívar, Ediciones Abya-Yala, Corporación Editora Nacional, 2004.
  • Carlos Monsiváis à l'écoute du peuple mexicain / Laura Brondino, Paris, Budapest: Torino: l'Harmattan, 2004.
  • Carlos Monsiváis: cultura y crónica en el México contemporáneo / Linda Egan, México: Fondo de Cultura Económica, 2004.
  • Confrontaciones : Carlos Monsiváis / 1984.

English

  • Carlos Monsiváis : culture and chronicle in contemporary Mexico / Linda Egan., 2001.
  • Mexico : an encyclopedia of contemporary culture and history / ed. Don M Coerver., 2004.
  • Responding to crisis in contemporary Mexico: the political writings of Paz, Fuentes, Monsiváis, and Poniatowska / Claire Brewster., 2005.

Awards

In 1977, Monsiváis won "Premio Nacional de Periodismo" Award ("National Journalism Prize") which recognized his genre of chronicles.[5]

In 2000, Monsiváis was awarded the "Premio Anagrama de Ensayo" ("Anagram of Essay Prize").[1] At the "Feria Internacional del Libro de Guadalajara" (" International Book Fair of Guadalajara") in 2006, he received the "FIL de Guadalajara Prize") along with its $100,000 prize money[2] and has been awarded honorary doctorates from universities in Peru, Arizona,[1] Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana and the Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa.[3] Monsiváis has won more than 33 awards with his last coming from the Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí.[5] Along with Miguel León-Portilla, Friedrich Katz, Fuentes and Pacheco, Monsiváis was a past recipient of the Nettie Lee Benson Latin American Collection.[22]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Carlos Monsiváis.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "Muere Carlos Monsiváis, uno de los escritores más populares de México". AFP (in Spanish). Google news. June 19, 2010. Retrieved 19 June 2010.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Stevenson, Mark (June 19, 2010). "Mexican author Carlos Monsivais dies at age 72". The Boston Globe. boston.com. Retrieved 20 June 2010.
  3. ^ a b c d e Mendoza, Gardenia (20 de junio 2010). "Carlos Monsiváis fallece en México". La Opinión (in Spanish). impre.com. Retrieved 20 June 2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ Mendoza, Gardenia (20 de junio 2010). "Carlos Monsiváis fallece en México". La Opinión. Google translate. Retrieved 20 June 2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae "Imposible comprender a México sin Carlos Monsiváis". Milenio (in Spanish). Milenio.com. 19 de Junio de 2010. Retrieved 19 June 2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Wilkinson, Tracy (June 20, 2010). "Mexican author and activist Carlos Monsivais dies at 72". Los Angeles Times. latimes.com. Retrieved 20 June 2010.
  7. ^ a b c "Muere Carlos Monsiváis". El Universal (in Spanish). eluniversal.com.mx. 19 de junio de 2010. Retrieved 20 June 2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  8. ^ a b "Las letras siguen de luto con la muerte de Carlos Monsiváis". El Carabobeño (in Spanish). el-carabobeno.com. 19 de junio 2010. Retrieved 20 June 2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  9. ^ a b c d e f "El adiós de Monsiváis". El Universal (Caracas) (in Spanish). eluniversal.com. 20 de junio 2010. Retrieved 20 June 2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  10. ^ "El adiós de Monsiváis". El Universal (Caracas). Google translate. 20 de junio 2010. Retrieved 20 June 2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  11. ^ a b c d e "Los gatos, inseparables del escritor, sin relación con el mal que produjo el deceso". La Jornada (in Spanish). jornada.unam.mx. 20 de junio de 2010. Retrieved 24 June 2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  12. ^ a b c "Denuncian que aplicaron la eutansia a gatos de Carlos Monsiváis". Ciudadania Express (in Spanish). ciudadania-express.com. 21 de junio 2010. Retrieved 24 June 2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  13. ^ "Imposible comprender a México sin Carlos Monsiváis". Milenio. Google translate. 19 de Junio de 2010. Retrieved 19 June 2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  14. ^ a b "Muere Carlos Monsiváis". El Universal. Google translate. 19 de junio de 2010. Retrieved 20 June 2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  15. ^ a b Amador, Judith (25 de mayo 2010). "Fallece Gabriel Vargas, creador de La Familia Burrón" (in Spanish). proceso.com.mx. Retrieved 28 May 2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Text "work Proceso" ignored (help)
  16. ^ a b Amador, Judith (25 de mayo 2010). "Fallece Gabriel Vargas, creador de La Familia Burrón". Proceso. Google Translate. Retrieved 28 May 2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  17. ^ "Los gatos, inseparables del escritor, sin relación con el mal que produjo el deceso". La Jornada. Google translate. 20 de junio 2010. Retrieved 24 June 2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  18. ^ "Denuncian que aplicaron la eutansia a gatos de Carlos Monsiváis". Ciudadania Express. Google translate. 21 de junio 2010. Retrieved 24 June 2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  19. ^ "Muere Carlos Monsiváis, uno de los escritores más populares de México". AFP. Google translate. June 19, 2010. Retrieved 19 June 2010.
  20. ^ "Las letras siguen de luto con la muerte de Carlos Monsiváis". El Carabobeño. Google translate. 19 de junio 2010. Retrieved 20 June 2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  21. ^ "Concluye homenaje a Carlos Monsiváis en el Teatro de la Ciudad" (in Spanish). Milenio. June 26, 2010. Retrieved July 2, 2010.
  22. ^ "Benson Collection Honored by Mexico City". University of Texas at Austin. utexas.edu. Retrieved 20 June 2010.

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